Correctly Specifying Fall Protection May 15, 2014 Roof replacement is an ideal time to address rooftop fall protection issues. Design of effective and practical solutions to suit the owner’s specific rooftop maintenance needs is critical. The fall protection marketplace offers an endless array of products, but there is no “one size fits all” solution. Rather, the appropriate solution will vary based on […] Read More
Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs): An Historic Opportunity for the Building Construction Industry May 15, 2014 WHAT IS A VACUUM INSULATION PANEL (VIP)? The construction of VIPs is based on the principle of vacuum technology, invented by British scientist James Dewar in 1892. VIPs are made with open porous core materials enclosed in an impermeable gas barrier (Figure 1) and have three major components: 1) open porous core material that imparts […] Read More
Panorama: Nomenclature and Classification of Architectural Sill Pan Flashings May 15, 2014 INTRODUCTION A wide variety of sill pan flashing types are available to the building industry, and their use is increasing. Integration of these flashings for the building envelope at windows, doors, and water-resistive barriers (WRBs) to exterior walls is desirable. However, differences in configuration and material selection can be obstacles to achieving optimum performance. Sill […] Read More
The Top Six Myths of Building Commissioning March 02, 2014 Cool roofs: Although some believe them to be a relatively new phenomenon, the truth is, they have been around for a long time—decades for sure, and perhaps for centuries. In many warm-weather countries such as Greece, Spain, and Bermuda, folks have long been painting their roofs white and have understood the benefits of reflecting the […] Read More
Reroofing? Why It’s the Perfect Time to Add Mandatory Fall Protection February 02, 2014 Per federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, workers have a right to a safe workplace. The law requires employers to provide their employees with working conditions that will assist in protecting them from known dangers. OSHA also requires employers to select and provide required personal protective equipment at no cost to workers. As […] Read More
Reroofing Projects for Heritage Buildings and Damaged Masonry: Is There a Connection? January 02, 2014 For the past 25 years, my firm has provided concrete and masonry-related consulting services for a variety of projects, many of which resulted in major restoration of heritage masonry structures or older buildings. During this time, it has become obvious that damage occurring to exterior masonry walls has often followed major reroofing work. Sometimes the […] Read More
The Reroofing of an Iconic Structure in Memphis: Employing Technology to Develop a Suitable Solution September 21, 2013 20 • IIBEC Interface July 2021 When the 14-year-old thermoplastic olefin (TPO) roofing system at the FedExForum’s main dome exhibited leaks, the owners commissioned an evaluation of its condition. The evaluation and subsequent replacement of the roofing system posed several technical challenges. The evaluation included several diagnostic tools, including high-voltage leak detection, up close and […] Read More
